What You Need to Know About Driving Safely in Colorado
3 min readWhen almost 17 million cars and light trucks have been sold in the U.S. in any given year, it pays to know the rules of the road. And if you’re living in Colorado or moving here, there are a few extra details you need to worry about. Let’s dive in.
Driving Rules and Regulations in Colorado
Some of the rules and regulations you will read below may be similar to those of another city. However, the fines and punishments may differ. Therefore, it is always available to follow these stipulations keenly so that you don’t find yourself at crossroads with the state and federal governments. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Using mobile phones while driving is a serious offense unless you are trying to call emergency services. Drivers under 18 years must avoid using a mobile phone while behind the wheel at all costs.
- Driving while intoxicated is a monumental offense. You can be highly fined, for public service, or even serve a jail term. The fines and jail terms are different for varying states. For instance, you can face up to six months in jail if you commit your first DUI offense in Connecticut. The blood alcohol limit in Colorado is 0.05%.
- You and any passengers you may have in your car must always wear your safety belts during the journey. In addition, children under eight years must be set appropriately on a well-sized safety seat.
- Aggressive driving can put you into trouble, especially if it threatens the lives of other road users. This is most important, especially in urban and crowded areas, such as Denver.
- You must yield to pedestrians, especially if you deem that not doing so can result in an accident.
- You must adhere to the three-second rule while driving in Colorado to avoid crashing into the vehicle in front of you. Collisions are a common cause of accidents. It is projected that by 2024, the automotive collision repair industry will have surpassed $280 billion.
Look for Animals and Mind the Altitude
Colorado is a mountainous state, and that is why it is essential to understand what you can expect when driving on the mountain roads. First, you’ll want to be diligent when it comes to looking for animals. Deer live in the mountainous parts of Colorado. They cross the roads all the time, especially at night and in the early morning hours. Cases of animals causing accidents are common, and that has led to the destruction of so many vehicles and human lives. Deer move in herds, so don’t expect to see just one on the road.
In addition, keep in mind that high altitude affects you and your car. In some high areas like Denver, you may experience shortness of breath on top of the mountains. Additionally, at such a high altitude, the mountain air may mess with your car’s engine.
Be Prepared for Poor Mobile Phone Reception
This is the main reason why it is advisable to bring along a map. Your cell phone may not be so helpful with low network reception. So have a perfect plan for your road trip to avoid getting lost when the mobile signal gets lost.
Severe Weather Is a Risk
Mountainous places are known to have extreme weather conditions at different times of the year. In Colorado, the weather changes abruptly. It may be shiny one minute and snowy the next. Brace yourself and your car properly for such incidences.
Bring a Lot of Water
During the summer season, the weather in Colorado becomes so hot. It is recommended to bring along a lot of water, not only for you and your passengers but also for your vehicle.
The above-discussed information provides clear guidance on what to know and expect when driving within and across Colorado. To be on the safe side, you should find more relevant information, especially on the state rules and regulations on driving in Colorado.
